Class Christmas Party

I had the best time going to Cameron's class Christmas party! The classroom Mom party planners at his school are serious and the food, games and crafts are TOP NOTCH! Cameron has a great teacher and she has done so much to help him stay on task this semester! She has read questions with him, helped him ask questions to process better, and also have helped him build his confidence. He has some sweet friends he plays basketball and football with and he loves going to school.

These things all came into play when God started prompting me to bring him home next semester. I've never thought it was an option, as parenting and training have been my main priority and I just haven't ever thought I could also tackle his academics. He's had some GREAT teachers who have loved him taken great care to teach him, but now it's my turn. It's been a month of praying, talking and questioning, but Richard and I have agreed to obey what I feel in my heart.

Cameron's heart is on the line. He is impressionable and drawn to anything that he thinks is fun, no matter it's value. He is incredibly drawn to cultural songs and media and things that might make him "cool." He is like many 8 year olds and school just isn't that important to him. He weighs every assignment with this question..."How long will this take?" My goal is to give him lots of repetition, make learning fun, give him opportunities to build his confidence, and help set his moral compass. I want him to trust me more, listen to me more, and know that I can be the loudest voice he hears...until, of course He hears the Lord.

We will also do Bible study and memory and I know it will have a positive effect on him that only the Holy Spirit could direct. I know days will be hard, weeks will be long, and days when Richard is gone may be more frustrating, but HIS STRENGTH IS PERFECT.

House on the Hill

This isn't the best picture, as a matter of fact, it was taken from the inside of my car and I might've been moving. However, I'm SO THANKFUL for this place we call our home and I couldn't resist since it might rain the rest of the weekend. This week we got GRASS! We've had dirt piles and no steps for four months and now...well, with a lot of water and some more landscaping our outside will be done.

We can have fun anywhere, but...we have so much in this house because it's JUST RIGHT for us! I love every room and look forward to having Christmas here for the first time.

UP next week here:
Ryan and Kate (arriving Tuesday)
Whobilation (Tuesday night)
Family Christmas (Thursday)
Rogers Christmas (Friday)

The Book

Richard wrote a book. He found a niche where there is NO resource and created one! I'm so proud of him, especially since I KNOW how much he doesn't enjoy writing and editing. He's has perfectionist tendencies and so very careful with his words. This is a huge accomplishment.

This book is a resource for churches who are interested in expanding giving opportunities outside of the traditional offering plate. I'm super excited to know that this work of his could give churches more resources for kingdom work. I love that he loves his job and he's not afraid nor does he shy away from doing hard things.

*I received no compensation from the author for this review. The E Giving Guide is available on Amazon. 😜

Slowing Down...a little

When your feet have hurt for 2 years, it's a HAPPY day when you get them fixed! Richard had a bone spur removed and his plantar fasciitus released and he's off his foot until January. It's a busy month...but no flights scheduled, so we're going to wait on him, drive for him, love him and try to stay out of the way of his stroller! 

December

I love our calendar. I love using colored markers and making it look like our chaos is mostly fun...and planned. I love being a family with things to do, even if sometimes it seems like too much. It's good to have places to go to stretch our minds, our bodies, our relationships. I like to serve, it gives me great joy, and I like to give my kids opportunities to do the same. 

December is always busy, I've tried to do as much shopping as I can before the kids get out of school. There are always last minute things, so as much as I can do the better for my state of mind. We've taken our time decorating for Christmas, doing a little every week. I love our tree and enjoy getting setting up our nativities, our snowman collection and other things we've collected over the years. 

Jordan has played in both a school event "Caroling in the Halls" and had a band concert. Sheridan has had two or three basketball games each week and a choir concert last week. Both Jordan and Sheridan are playing JO volleyball with the Golden Suns. This is going to be a great experience for them. Right now they have two-hour practices twice a week. Cameron will be singing in church next week with Kid Life. 

Erin is home from school. Lauren will finish her finals this week. The littles 5 more days of school and I will take Richard back and forth to LR for his winter work meetings this week. We have big plans for the week before Christmas...it's the most WONDERFUL time of the year...why? ...Because my family WANTS to be at home and the reason is JESUS. 

Missing Ryan

My firstborn is capable, confident and strong. If he didn't have the skills and the mental toughness I know he has, or he wasn't firmly secure in his relationship with the Lord, I'd definitely worry about him more. The last phase of Ranger school is swamps and he completed it 5 days ago. Unfortunately, with crazy circumstances, he didn't pass and will return to Florida after the holidays to brave the water, the cold and the training again. He can do it. I have no doubt.

Disappointment, discouragement and melancholy have filled my days here. He is my sill my boy. Not because we don't believe in him, or the USA, or Ranger program. But because when you don't get what you expect or what you believe you deserve, it can be a storm to get through, and family stands by you.

I'm thankful that we tried to teach our children (from early on) that they weren't going to get everything they wanted, every part they tried out for, every grade they expected. We taught them life wasn't fair but it didn't matter because God wants our best and that will always be good enough. It doesn't make things easier to take, but knowing that God has our BEST in mind, and He works through all things, and He works before us, with us and after us...well, it is comforting and gives me hope.

I can't wait to hug my son, and of course, Katelyn too. He's made every effort to be with us every single Christmas, well, except the first one when he was due, and I'm ready for us all to be in the same house again.

Quote of the Day

Cam: Mom, you know I want to be a spy, right?

Me: Yes.

Cam: You know Colton? Colton Babb in my class?

Me: Yes.

Cam: He wants to be one too. Where do we sign up for that?